When you look at the class of 2023 commitments for the Kentucky Wildcats, there is just one name, in-state legacy commit Reed Sheppard. However, since an upset loss to Saint Peter’s, the Kentucky coaching staff has been on the recruiting trail looking to add to that list.
Kentucky’s most recent offer was this Saturday to Andrej Stojakovic, one of the best, if not the best, shooters in the class of 2023, as confirmed by his AAU program, the Compton Magic.
The offer comes after John Calipari and Orlando Antigua scouted Stojakovic in Spartanburg this weekend at a stop in the Adidas travel circuit, where Stojackovic currently ranks seventh in scoring at 18.8 points per game while shooting 45.3 percent from the floor.
Stojakovic stands 6-foot-6 and 185-pounds, as a top-100 recruit. Offensively, Stojakovic’s biggest strength is his shooting ability, whether that be off the catch or off the dribble, but he is still able to mix it up with his inside game. This combination allows him to fit the mold of the modern-day wing.
With as advanced footwork as anyone in the country and with his size and length, he is able to create separation and get off any shot he wants, when he wants.
Defensively, Stojakovic has the frame and is athletic enough to guard the post and on the perimeter. With a 6-foot-10 wingspan, he also has shown to be a respectable rim protector and rebounder.
The sharpshooting genes run strong in the Stojakovic family, as Andrej is the son of former three-time NBA All-Star and NBA champion, Peja Stojakovic, one of the best shooters in NBA history.
Kentucky is not the only school taking notice. In just the last month, Stojakovic has received 10 other offers from power five schools including Kansas, Oregon, Florida, and Texas among others. However, the Kentucky offer seemed to carry a little more weight with Stojakovic telling 247 Sports, “it meant the world to me.”
Stojakovic’s full comments: “It [the offer] meant the world to me. Obviously, coach Cal is one of the best coaches of all time, and for him to even notice my game and say the things he said about me was kind of surreal. Traditionally it’s a basketball school, you make it to the tournament every year and you have expectations to win it all and they just go out, compete and play against the best.”
In an interview with Jamie Shaw of On3, Stojakovic talked more about Kentucky
“For a coach like Coach Cal (John Calipari) to notice my game and say what he said about me is surreal. He saw me play on Friday and then called me last night. He talked about how I make the right play and rebound and defend. Sure I can score, but he said he liked the little things I did. I am glad I am even on their radar. It means I am doing something right.”
The best shooter in the country would look pretty good in Kentucky blue.
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